Black-out shade attachment means



p 4, 1943. s. JOHNSON 2,329,621

BLACKOUT SHADE ATTACHMENT MEANS Filed Feb. 26, 1942 Patente d Sept. 14, 1943 .--2,.s2'9,621' BLACK-OUT SHADE AT'rA r irJohn'scn 'iwest 1 to Clopay Corporation,Cincinngti flhima c poraticnof Maryland npplicationFebruaryIZG,ISQQ Sei'iaI QQZ' 7 9 "'teens;(01.

This invention relates to a frame forsecuring a window shade tightly-positioned against the sides of the window frame and'is partibularly concerned with means for securing an-opaque shade so tightly in positionthat' no light from the room will be visible outsidefduring blackouts due to air raid alarms. f y H In localities in which blackouts have beenheld' a need hasbeen recognized for some means by which an opaque covering'may be fastened so securely over a window that no light will bevisible from the outside even though the room is lighted in a conventional way. Although it is possible to accomplish the desired result with certain types of shutters and with draperies, curtains or the like, these various expedients are all s uch' fasg t e I d Ii'ridfrhrhatroller in "a dow j fram'e 3 I" This shade and roller may vbe of conventional construction ia'lthodghQas previous open to the objection that they require a conwith means for securing a shade to the side edges of a window frame.- In the use of the present invention, the depending end of the shade may be secured to the window sill.

The present invention contemplates a pair of frame members of simple and inexpensive con struction which may be detachably secured one on either side of the shade and so constructed that the side edges of the shade may be tightly secured within the frames when a blackout is in operation but still may be quickly released and the shade rolled up after the blackout is over.

Referring now to the drawing which discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a'window shade in extended position in a window frame with the frame elements positioned on either side thereof; one element being in closed position and the other in open position.

Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line 2--2, Figure 1. r v

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a single frame element showing the construction in more detail.

Figure 4 is a sectional view along the linedi, Figure 1. I

As illustrated in Figure 1, the blackout shade,

ly indicated, .for thebestresults it isjpre'ferable' h theg hadegbebom e ely 'onaquer r S e e'f ame. m e s re; nd te s n:

if l a ten th .wmi ise e. e e nt's formed by'fol'ding'a" strip of stiifmaterialjsueh as fiber board orth'e' like along a 'centrafline'. "The side of the shade frame contiguous to the window frame has been indicated as 5 while the face or outer side is shown as 6 and. the fold line as 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 the frame has been folded over or closed and fastened down on the right side of these figures thereby holding the corresponding edge of the shade securelyin position. The frame element on the left side of the figures is secured in position on the window frame but is in open position with respect to the shade.

The preferred meansfor holding the frame elements in position on the window frame and simultaneously holding the shade tightly in posi tion are screw eye fasteners of a conventional 7 construction best illustrated in Figure 2. These fasteners have been designated generally as B and they are adapted to be inserted through the slots 9 in the upper sides of the frame elements. When 7 Y the sides of the frame elements have gripped the shade as shown on the right side of Figure 1, the heads of the screw eye fasteners are then turned to a vertical position to cooperate with the preformed horizontal slots in securing the shade margin between the sides of the shade frame and tightly against the window frame,

The manner in which the shade is tightly held without marring or tearing in any Way is best shown in Figure 2 in which, as in the case of Figure 1, the frame element on the right side is in closed position while that on the left side is in open position.

In the use of the frame elements, the shade should be first positioned in the window and,

close to the inner ends of the horizontal slots in the side of the frame elements which are contiguous to the window frame. This positioning is best illustrated on the left sides of Figures 1 ;or 2. The shade frame members should then be screwed to the window frame by means of .the screw eye fasteners in such a way that the heads of the fasteners will be horizontally disposed and aligned with the slots which may be preformed in the face or outer side of the shade frame members. It is desirable that the shade frame members extend from the window sill up to and a little beyond the upper edge of the window opening in order that light may be completely excluded all the way along the sides of the window; I

V After the frame elements have been positioned in the window frame as just described, the shade may be completely extended as shown in Figure 1. The inner sides of the frame elements are then folded over and secured in position'by first inserting the screw eye fasteners through their corresponding slots and then turning the fasteners to a vertical position.

The frame elements may be made in sections as illustrated in Figure 1 or they may be in continuous strip form. Although fiber board is the preferred material of the invention, it is quite practical to use other materials such as stifiened fabric. The shades may be formed fromany of the conventional materials.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. Attachment means for securing the side edge of a window shade. to prevent the passage of light to the outside comprising a shade holding element positioned on a. side of the window frame; said element comprising an elongated strip of bendable material adapted to be folded along a substantially central line thereof for the entire length of the strip, the foldable portion of the strip being adapted to overlie a side edge of the shade and to hold it against the unfolded portion of the strip and means for holding the strip positioned on the window frame and simultaneously, as required, for holding the foldable portion thereof in said folded position, said means being out of contact with the edge of the shade.

2. A device for releasably securing the side edge of a window shade to the side of a window frame comprising a strip of bendable material adapted to be secured to the side of a window frame adjacent the edge of a shade positioned in the window, said strip being folded along its entire length to provide an extended edge por- 

